United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to make his first official visit to India on October 8–9, 2025, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to an announcement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). This high-profile visit will mark a significant moment in India–UK relations, reinforcing diplomatic, economic, and strategic cooperation under the long-standing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
The two leaders are expected to undertake a comprehensive review of progress achieved through the ‘India–UK Vision 2035’ roadmap — a decade-long framework that outlines cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade and investment, science and technology, innovation, defence and security, education, healthcare, climate change, and people-to-people connections. The visit aims to deepen collaboration across these areas while addressing new challenges and opportunities in the rapidly evolving global landscape.
Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Starmer will also travel to Mumbai on October 9, where they will meet with prominent business and industry leaders to discuss trade and investment prospects under the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The two leaders are expected to jointly explore strategies to enhance bilateral trade, streamline investment flows, and promote technological exchange between the industries of both nations. Alongside trade discussions, they will address pressing regional and global issues, reinforcing the shared vision of both democracies for peace, prosperity, and stability.
A highlight of the Mumbai leg of the visit will be their participation in the sixth edition of the Global Fintech Fest — one of the world’s largest financial technology events. Both leaders are scheduled to deliver keynote addresses and interact with innovators, business executives, and policymakers from across the globe, reflecting the growing cooperation between India and the UK in the digital economy and fintech innovation.
This visit follows Prime Minister Modi’s trip to the United Kingdom in July 2025, where he held discussions with Prime Minister Starmer at Chequers, the official countryside residence of the British Prime Minister. During that meeting, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to the Vision 2035 roadmap and signed a landmark defence industrial cooperation framework aimed at promoting joint development and production of key defence technologies and equipment. Modi also met King Charles III at the Sandringham Estate, where he presented a tree sapling under his “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative, symbolising environmental cooperation and shared commitment to sustainability.
In a social media post following that meeting, Modi highlighted the growing depth of India–UK relations, stating that their discussions covered trade, investment, education, wellness, environmental protection, and sustainability — key pillars of the modern India–UK partnership.
The signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on July 24, 2025, marked a turning point in bilateral economic relations. The landmark deal provides duty-free access for nearly 99% of Indian exports to the UK and eliminates tariffs on about 90% of UK goods entering India. It is projected to double the current bilateral trade — estimated at around USD 56 billion — by 2030. CETA has opened new avenues for collaboration across sectors such as textiles, leather, marine products, engineering goods, sports equipment, gems and jewellery, and automotive components.
Beyond goods, the agreement significantly enhances services trade, offering expanded market access for professionals in fields like IT, finance, law, education, and healthcare. Indian professionals such as chefs, architects, yoga instructors, and musicians will benefit from streamlined visa procedures and liberalised entry categories, encouraging cultural and skill-based exchange. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal described the agreement as a “milestone in trade relations between two major economies,” noting that it will stimulate job creation, promote exports, and benefit sectors ranging from agriculture and MSMEs to technology and startups.
The pact also includes a landmark Double Contribution Convention, which exempts Indian workers and employers from making UK social security payments for three years — a move expected to make cross-border employment more attractive and cost-effective.
Keir Starmer’s upcoming visit is therefore being closely observed as a defining moment for the India–UK relationship. It is expected to further solidify cooperation not only in trade and investment but also in defence, green technology, and education. The trip underscores both nations’ intent to elevate their partnership into a model of modern global collaboration — one built on mutual respect, innovation, and shared democratic values — as they continue to implement the goals outlined in the Vision 2035 roadmap.
